Riding the Wave

Pool trends are not local. Global connections via the Internet allow one to search any number of resources to find inspiration for pool design. Designer websites like HGTV.com, online newsrooms, eMagazines and numerous social media platforms such as Houzz and Pinterest are filled with an abundance of images showcasing the latest trends. Looking across the United States, down under to Australia and south to Central America, we can see many of the same design elements influencing trends here in Las Vegas.

“Social media has really played a key role in influencing trends,” said Brett Raymer, chief operating officer of Acrylic Tank Manufacturing. “It is a huge outlet for image media. People see something they like, something that’s innovative. They take a photo with their cellphone and share it immediately.”

Acrylic Panels

This is crucial for a product manufacturer such as ATM who specializes in over-the-top aquariums as well as acrylic viewing panels for swimming pools. The company’s pool projects span the globe, installing viewing panels into walls, ceilings, bridges and floors.

Headquartered in Las Vegas, ATM is featured in the popular reality show “Tanked” on Animal Planet.

“We had a product that is used in aquariums, the acrylic panel and introduced it to the swimming pool industry,” Raymer said. “Architects, designers and homeowners are always looking for something new and unique; they see pictures on the Internet of pools with the viewing panels and give us a call. Acrylic pool panels have become very trendy with high-end residential clients.”

Contemporary Style

Contemporary is the current style of choice in pool design. Sleek lines, open space and smooth surfaces are taking over from the tropical lagoon pools with boulder waterfalls.

Bill Sachanko, senior design consultant at Mid City Custom Pools in Hurst, Texas, confirms pool designs in the Dallas-Fort Worth area are moving from the customary free-form and Old World styles toward a straight-line, contemporary look.

Fire

Fire elements continue to be a “hot” design feature in backyards. In addition to creating gathering spaces with fire pits, designers are incorporating fire as an accent around the pool.

“We have seen a big uptick in the use of fire to spice up the landscape of pools across the Northeast,” said Kyle Chaikin, president of Chaikin Ultimate Pools, a division of Ultimate in Pool Care in Long Island, N.Y. “The trend is to create an entertainment space that has the ability to transform a backyard from a daytime playground to a relaxing evening refuge.”

Fire elements also are leaning toward the sleek, linear design with the use of fire bars in lieu of fire rings. “Fire bars complement the contemporary style,” Sachanko said. “You can create a unique look with arcs, S or L shapes. They also fit into a tight or narrow space that can’t accommodate a round fire pit.”

Glass Tile

Glass tile is a dominant trend in pool design. Resources have become more prevalent with manufacturers producing a wide variety of colors and dimensions, providing designers with an artist’s pallet of versatility. An all-tile pool is still considered a luxury amenity in pool construction due to the cost of tiling the complete interior.

However, designers are incorporating the use of glass tile to spotlight a space such as wrapping columns, spillways and raised areas. The emphasis of glass tile on elements that extend out of the body of the pool can be very dramatic.

Sachanko uses 1-inch-by-1-inch glass tile to cover the entire exterior of raised spas to create contrast with the rest of the pool. “I find the 1-by-1-inch tile to be more pliable than a traditional 3-by-3 or 6-by-6-inch tile, especially around curves and in tight corners,” he said.

Natural Stone

The art of using natural stone in water elements dates back to the first pools and baths constructed centuries ago with large stone blocks. Today, natural stone is used as an embellishment providing definition, color and texture both inside and outside the pool.

Natural stones will add a richness and warmth to a design. Stone also blends well with other materials and textures such as pavers and tiles.

The type of stone will depend on its application in the pool; dense stones such as quartzite and granite are more desirable and durable than sandstones or other porous stones. The use of flagstone as coping, on wet decks and wall caps will complement a contemporary-style pool.

Spouts

Accent spouts are the new “must have” when it comes to designing water elements into the pool. Accent spouts have a more soothing and gentle sound as compared to a single large water feature.

The shape and size of the spouts range from deco square and round tubes to more elaborate designs that add an artistic ornamentation to the pool. Some spout designs come with a matching back-plate and may extend from the bond beam 16 inches or more depending on the application.

Glass Bead Interior Finish

Aggregate interior finishes have evolved over the years and the latest variety incorporates tiny polished glass beads. This product gives the pool a richer look that’s similar to an all-tiled pool at a third of the cost.

Two distinct variations include all-glass-bead aggregates or a blend of glass beads with polished pebble stones. Both variations come in a variety of colors and mixes producing unique hues with an opulent, mosaic appearance.

Whether you are building a new pool or renovating an existing one, enter the design process with a very open mind. “It is important to give your designer the latitude and freedom to craft a design that’s trendy as well as functional for your needs and lifestyle,” Sachanko said.

Joseph M. Vassallo, CBP, APSP fellow, is an internationally acclaimed and award-winning pool designer. President of Paragon Pools, Vassallo has co-authored five pool design books and is currently a featured designer on HGTV.com. He can be reached at 702-400-0679.